uso
[ˈʊ.so]
The Samoan word for brother is uso.
uso is a noun used to refer to a male sibling. It is also frequently used as a casual term of address for a male peer or friend, similar to how an English speaker might use 'bro' or 'dude'.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
Which one should you use?
While uso is a general term for a brother, tuagane is the specific term used by a sister to refer to her brother.
Did you know?
- In traditional Samoan culture, the responsibilities of an uso include specific roles in the fa'asamoa or Samoan way of life, often involving the protection of the family's honor.
- The concept of brotherhood in Samoa is tied to the aiga or extended family system, where uso may be applied to male cousins to emphasize unity over distant bloodlines.
- Samoan kinship terms change based on the gender of the speaker. While a man calls his brother uso, a woman must use tuagane to refer to the same person.
Examples in context
- O ia o loʻu uso.He is my brother.
- E iai lava lou uso.You still have a brother.
- E tele lava latou uso.They have many brothers.
Example conversation
Talisa is asking Tasi about his family.
- TalisaE i ai lou uso?Do you have a brother?
- TasiIoe, e tasi lava lo'u uso.Yes, I have only one brother.
- TalisaO fea o lo'u uso?Where is your brother?
- TasiO lo'u uso o lo'o i le fale.My brother is at the house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries uso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
